MADAGASCAR: NEW TECHNOCRAT PRIME MINISTER AWAITS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANTANANARIVO 000713 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E-MBEYZEROV AND INR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR MA SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: NEW TECHNOCRAT PRIME MINISTER AWAITS CONFIRMATION REF: ANTANANARIVO 707 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: See Action Request in para 7. The ambassador greeted Madagascar's new consensus Prime Minister Eugene Mangalaza upon his arrival in country October 10 to publicly display the international community's support for the implementation of an inclusive, consensual transition government. In a private meeting October 12, Mangalaza, who was named PM by decree late Oct 10, said he would wait patiently for confirmation of his role by the four vying political faction leaders before acting. Former PM Monja Roindefo has refused to vacate his seat for the time being. The four leaders are tentatively scheduled to meet October 17-19 in Geneva, but Ravalomanana may still throw a wrench in the works. The situation on the ground in Madagascar remains calm, but unsettled due to the obstinacy of Monja Roindefo and Ravalomanana. END SUMMARY. International Community Backs Consensus PM -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The consensus prime minister, Eugene Regis Mangalaza, agreed upon by Madagascar's four vying political factions during the October 6 International Contact Group meeting (reftel),arrived in Madagascar early on October 10. The Ambassador, together with UN Mediator Tiebile Drame and his South African and French counterparts, greeted him at the airport to publicly demonstrate the international community's support for the formation of a power-sharing transition government per the Maputo transition accords. The HAT minister of security, along with one military officer closely associated with the March coup, also met the PM-designate; somewhat surprisingly he publicly announced his strong support for the Maputo accords. The media captured the international presence, as intended. Mangalaza made a short, humble statement about the constructive role he hopes to play in the transition, and left. TGV Replaces Monja with Mangalaza -------------- ¶3. (SBU) After assembly his cabinet for an impromptu meeting, Transition president Andry "TGV" Rajoelina issued a decree late on October 10 officially naming Mangalaza as the new prime minister and abrogating the decree that had named Monja Roindefo to that role. But Roindefo has refused to cede his place, stating in a speech that he would remain prime minister until a new transition government, whose members are to be validated and named by a meeting of the four faction leaders October 17-19, was in place. Although Roindefo indicated that he would eventually give up his seat, he is likely holding on for as long as possible - probably in the hopes that ousted President Ravalomanana will block agreement at the Oct 17 meeting -- to continue his notorious self-enrichment. Mangalaza Awaits Confirmation of Four Chiefs -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador called on Mangalaza officially, the first diplomat to do so, on October 12 at the Presidential Suite in the Hotel Colbert (due to his office still being occupied by Roindefo). Mangalaza was calm and gracious, showing no signs of stress or pressure. He said he is "in the starting blocks, but the race has not started"; he will wait for the signature of the accord by the four chiefs before he officially becomes PM, and he will play no role in seeking to remove Roindefo. He is, however, eager for that to occur as soon as possible. He said great patience will be required for him to succeed, and he is showing some now. He described himself as "technical, not political" and confirmed that he has no political ambitions whatsoever, stating further that the transition must be "short but good." He agreed with the ambassador that the sole real tack of the transition government will be to organize credible elections. While he knows former President Ratsiraka well and was proposed by him, Mangalaza made it clear that he is no AREMA (Ratsiraka's party) apparatchik, nor a "militant" of Ratsiraka, but rather a neutral technocrat. He described his CV to the Ambassador (a detailed biography is attached below),upon whom Mangalaza made an overall fine impression. AGOA IS USEFUL LEVERAGE -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Mangalaza told the Ambassador that he met Rajoelina for the first time October 10 and again on October 12. He told Rajoelina that "you are my chief but not my boss (patron). I have six bosses: the Malagasy people, the four movements (including yours),and the international community." According to Mangalaza, Rajoelina said he understood and accepted the arrangement. The latter two also discussed the importance of AGOA. The ambassador briefed Mangalaza on the AGOA eligibility review process and timetable and exhorted them not to lose more time in setting up the transition. Mangalaza remarked that AGOA continues to provide useful pressure that he will use to best effect. ANTANANARI 00000713 002 OF 003 Mangalaza Still Catching Up -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Ambassador then briefed Mangalaza, who has been in exile since 2002 due to his connections with Ratsiraka, on a few key players close to Rajoelina who might be helpful. Mangalaza said he lived ten years in Tulear and is an anthropologist, and hinted that both will be useful in dealing with the current PM (who is from Tulear and the Antandroy tribe). However, he added, it would be premature to have any contact with him for now. He also eschewed any contact directly with Ravalomanana as premature. Comment and Action Request -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The situation on the ground in Madagascar remains calm, but unsettled due to Monja Roindefo's and Ravalomanana's obstinacy. As of Monday, Berlin was gaining ground as the site for the next Summit, but then the German government refused the proposal. There is now agreement on Geneva as the location for the October 17-19 talks, with the meeting to take place on UN premises, the Swiss government having agreed to pay all lodging expenses, and the French and/or EU ponying up Euros 50K for transport expenses. UN Mediator Drame has requested a like contribution from the USG; please advise. While Ravalomanana may still be insisting on Luanda or another African location instead of Europe, the Chissano is keen on holding the meeting this weekend, which will not be possible if it is to be held in Africa. The Ambassador will join Ambassador Phil Carter in Johannesburg for a meeting with Ravalomanana on Thursday to encourage him to endorse the agreements reached during the ICG October 6 and name people to the government positions which he has been allocated. End comment. ¶8. (U) BIOGRAPHY OF EUGENE REGIS MANGALAZA -------------- Occupation: Academic, Professor, University Rector, now Consensual Transitional Prime Minister, nominated by former President Ratsiraka, approved by the four political factions, and appointed by Rajoelina Appointment Date: October 10, 2009 DOB: 1950 in Ambodivoanio, Toamasina (East coast; he says he hails from Mananara Nord) Family: Wife, Married with three children Education: - 1988: Doctorate in Social Anthropology from the University of Bordeaux II - 1977: Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Bordeaux III - 1970: Baccalaureat from Jacques RABEMANANJARA High School in Toamasina Prior Government Posts: - 1992-2002: Rector of Toamasina University - 1987-1991: Director of Human Resources Division, Autonomous Port of Toamasina - 1980-1986: Dean of the University of Toliara, Languages Department - 1990s - elected Deputy in National Assembly Teaching activities and research: - In Madagascar: - Since 1994, he assisted Ph.D. students studying philosophy and social anthropology at the Universities of Toliara and Toamasina; - Between 1980 and 2003, he published around ten works on the Betsimisaraka tribe of Madagascar. - Abroad: 2003-2004: Guest Professor at the University of Perpignan, Sociology Division within the Languages Department 1996-2002: Guest Professor at the University of Bordeaux III for two to three months; 1994-1998: Guest Professor at the University of Saint Denis, Reunion, for two to three months Political Background: He was a member of the Ratsiraka delegation to Dakar II during 2002 crisis resolution discussions. Exposure to the US: He participated in an International Visitor program sponsored by the Embassy on "University Administration" when he was the President of the University of Toamasina. He promoted linkages between the University of Toamasina and Clark Atlanta University, which have resulted in various partnerships including the opening of a language lab in Toamasina and teacher exchanges. He says his English is poor but he appears able to communicate in it. ANTANANARI 00000713 003 OF 003 MARQUARDT